Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Tablelands Regional Council
About the position
- Undertake activities to operate TRC’s water and wastewater treatment plants to ensure regulatory compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and the Environmental Authority (EA).
- Operate and maintain the treatment plant, associated reservoirs, pump stations and other assets.
- Respond promptly to operational changes to ensure the plant is operating as intended to maintain regulatory compliance.
- Conduct routine dam inspections, interpreting results, and taking corrective action where required.
- Monitor the treatment process regularly to ensure chemicals and dosing contingency are maintained to required levels, and treatment equipment/instruments are adjusted as required.
- Carry out scheduled and reactionary water & wastewater testing.
- Monitor and interpret operational data and act promptly to maintain process control.
- Monitor and utilise the SCADA telemetry systems to analyse processes and action necessary corrective actions to maintain treated water quality and quantity.
- Maintain reporting such as operational logs, plant hours, chemical inventories, data logs and results of laboratory tests escalating discrepancies as required.
- Ensure risk and quality management procedures are adhered and improved as appropriate.
- Provide assistance in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Maintenance Management System for wastewater and water treatment assets.
- Undertake planned maintenance schedules with the aim to reduce responsive maintenance and unplanned breakdowns.
- Perform routine servicing and maintenance on valves, pumps, motors and mechanical and monitoring equipment, including analytical instruments and equipment used in the laboratory.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders regarding servicing, repairs and maintenance activities and generate work orders.
- Management of hazardous chemicals in accordance with TRC’s WHS and manufacturers MSDS as required.
- Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of accredited Quality Assurance for Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations.
- Store and maintain records in TRCs Record Management System (ECM) as per record keeping guidelines.
- Conduct procurement activities in accordance with TRC policy and procedure for chemicals, spare parts and consumables.
- Provide guidance and support for trainees and contractors as required.
- Conduct housekeeping duties to ensure the treatment plant precinct is kept clean and tidy.
Who we are looking for
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Experience in the operation and maintenance of water and/or wastewater treatment plants.
- Ability to exercise sound judgement, technical expertise, and autonomy in decision making to maintain compliance and protect public health and environment.
- Ability to identify and mitigate risks related to water quality, dam safety, chemical handling, and environmental compliance, ensuring regulatory standards are consistently met.
- Experience in interpreting SCADA trends, laboratory and field test results, and analyser outputs (chlorine, turbidity, pH, ammonia, UV) to make informed operational decisions.
- Capacity to act independently and make safe, sound operational decisions during alarms, plant upsets, or emergency events.
- Knowledge of chemical handling, storage, bunding requirements, and WHS legislation for hazardous substances.
- Understanding of water quality principles, microbiological risks, and treatment process optimisation.
How to apply
1. Visit the Tablelands Regional Council 'Work with Us' page.2. Download the Position Description3. Complete the ‘Personal Detail’ & 'Question' sections.4. Attach your current resume and cover letter.
